This week, U.S. and British officials engaged in a public dispute over whether Iran is more of a threat than it has been.

British Maj. Gen. Christopher Ghika, the No. 2 officer in the U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State, also known as ISIS, in Syria and Iraq, said Tuesday that the threat from Iran is no greater than it was months ago.

Navy Capt. Bill Urban, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command, said Ghika was wrong and his comments "run counter to the identified credible threats available to intelligence from U.S. and allies regarding Iranian-backed forces in the region."

Trump played down the potential for military action, saying he would respond only to some kind of attack from Iran.

Asked about a Times report that Bolton and other officials discussed the deployment of 120,000 troops to the region to contain Iran, Trump said, "Hopefully, we're not going to have to plan for that. And if we did that, we'd send a hell of a lot more troops than that."

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump pause at the crosses representing the 23 people killed by the Sunday March 3, 2019 tornado in Beauregard, Ala., during his visit to the area on Friday March 8, 2019. Mickey Welsh, USA TODAY Network

President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address on Feb 5, 2019, from the House chamber of the United States Capitol in Washington. Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) are behind Trump. Jarrad Henderson, USA TODAY

President Donald Trump arrives in McAllen, Tx to speak to offices and tour the U.S southern border on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019. The trip comes two days after President Trump delivered a nation wide address setting there is a crises along the border and calling for a wall or barrier. Courtney Sacco, Caller-Times via USA TODAY Network

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump visit with members of the military at a dining hall at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018. In a surprise trip to Iraq, President Donald Trump on Wednesday defended his decision to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria where they have been helping battle Islamic State militants. Andrew Harnik, AP

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump pay their respects to former President George H.W. Bush as the 41st President lies in state at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Dec. 3, 2018. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

President Donald Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, Florida Gov. Rick Scott, and FEMA director Brock Long, visited the city of Lynn Haven, Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. A large parking area behind the devastated police department and City Hall buildings became a temporary location for local volunteers and people to compile and distribute supplies, food and assistance. Ricardo Rolon, The News-Press via USA TODAY Network

President Donald Trump takes questions from a gathering of reporters next to Air Force One at Lunken Airport in Cincinnati on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018. President Trump visited the Cincinnati area for a MAGA Rally at the Warren County Fair Grounds in Lebanon, Ohio, Friday night. Sam Greene, The Enquirer via USA TODAY Network

President Donald J. Trump awards Sergeant John A. Chapman the posthumous Medal of Honor on August 22, 2018 in the East Room at the White House for his actions on March 4, 2002, on Takur Ghar mountain in Afghanistan. Chapman's aircraft was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, ejecting one teammate rom the aircraft, and crippling the helicopter after it crashed in the valley below. Chapman and the remaining joint special operations team members voluntarily returned to the snow-capped mountain, into known enemy stronghold, in an attempt to rescue their stranded teammate. Sergeant Chapman’s spouse, Valerie Nessel, and family joined the President at the White House to commemorate his example of selfless service and sacrifice on Aug 22, 2018. Camille Fine, USA TODAY

Russia's President Vladimir Putin offers a ball of the 2018 football World Cup to US President Donald Trump during a joint press conference after a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, on July 16, 2018. The US and Russian leaders opened an historic summit in Helsinki, with Donald Trump promising an "extraordinary relationship" and Vladimir Putin saying it was high time to thrash out disputes around the world.
Yuri Kadobnov, AFP/Getty Images

President Donald Trump embraces Pauline Conner the widow of Kentucky soldier First Lt. Garlin M. Conner posthumously honored with the Medal of Honor on Tuesday, June 26, 2018, for his actions in World War II.
Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

President Donald Trump speaks with Master Chief Special Warfare Operator Britt K. Slabinski, left, after awarding him the Medal of Honor during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Thursday, May 24, 2018. Slabinski oversaw a daring 2002 assault and rescue mission on a snowy Afghanistan mountaintop and carried a "seriously wounded teammate down a sheer cliff face" while leading "an arduous trek across one kilometer of precipitous terrain, through waist-deep snow while continuing to call fire on the enemy." Andrew Harnik, AP

President Donald Trump greets House Speaker Paul Ryan before delivering the State of the Union address on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018 from the House chamber of the United States Capitol in Washington. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

President Donald Trump gestures while speaking during his meeting with health insurance company executives, Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington. Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP

President Donald Trump stands with Melania Trump, former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, before the Obama's departs on Marine One after the 2017 Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol on Jan 20, 2017. Jarrad Henderson, USA TODAY

Donald Trump takes the oath of office, while standing with Melania Trump and Barron Trump, during the 2017 Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol. Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath of office Jan 20, 2017. Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY